Center Parcs

[14NG88]

Surely the most pointless holiday imaginable?
Like a laboratory engineered country experience for city dwellers. Once visited on a day pass someone who was staying at Whinfell and would say it had a similar demographic to Butlins. Much better experience and value for money visting the Lake District and staying in a b and b or holiday home imo.

I kind of agree. I don’t really understand it. I’ve only been once before though. You have to book in to all the activities it seems, what happens if the kids don’t fancy football/crazy science etc when they wake up that morning? If you want to leave the premises halfway through you’re deemed mad and it’s a trek to find your car 😄 We’re off to one with all the in laws next week, wish me luck!

It's an institution.

It is what it is. We used to go as a group of friends as there was something for everyone.... exercise classes, spa, running etc. With young DC it was nice to have no cars about but other than that DH hated it!

I feel the same about AI holidays. All that way to stay in a hotel most of the time!!

I'll go then, our family LOVE IT!

We've only been once but loved it. It felt like we were in a hotel abroad - especially going out in the evenings. Loved the fact that everything was so clean and well looked after and that everything is in one place. Didn't stop us venturing out though. Also loved how nice the accommodation was - especially having a sauna.

We love it too, especially the houses with hot tubs. It’s safe for children to cycle around, loads of fun activities on-site. Great pool complex which is warm with fun slides, rapids and a fantastic spa.
We’ve been to many other places, but always end up back there.

"Engineered country experience for city dwellers" made me smile. We live in a very isolated part of Scotland, about as rural as you get. We go to center parcs because for a change, everything is on your doorstep. So it's like a city experience for us, minus the cars.

I think a lot of people on MN like to sneer at center parcs but it's always busy there so lots of people must like it (me included!).

I think the pool in the giant greenhouse makes it for us. We have a baby DD and she loves the water. The changing rooms are wonderful for families and for a short break I think it's great.

I'd like to try Center Parcs but the pricing puts me off, it's double what we would normally pay for a midweek break and there seem to be no 'cheap times to go.

We normally go to a haven park as the kids love the beach and we just want a simple place to sleep and a few restaurants to choose from.

Is Center Parcs worth paying more for?

We love it for what it is,
Mid week break book 1 activity a day and a meal out
Rest of the time is cycling and swimming
Wednesday I leave the boys and dh to do random activity and I have a full day at aqua sans spa with a book. Meet for dinner. Perfect.

‘Similar demographic to butlin’. That’s such a snobby thing to say!

Well I must be common then because I love centre parcs. Home from home, pools are great and always warm, I love the woods and activities. Perfect if you have babies/ toddler. We go to Longleat Forest, no idea what the others are like but it works well for us.

We love it and we live in rural Dorset.

I love the fact that I can check my brain in at the entrance and from there in everything is done for me. It's like being a child and having everything organised for you by your parents. Total break form adulting.

@PerfrftPeony2 to be fair it’s pretty snobby to call those who go to Bultins (or anyone) ‘common’ 😄